Rabbi & Cantor

Rabbi Arthur Weiner

Rabbi Arthur Weiner arrived in Paramus in August of 1996 to serve as our Rabbi. Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1989, he served as the Rabbi of the Heska Amuna Synagogue in Knoxville Tennessee for seven years before relocating to Bergen County. While in Knoxville, he was honored by the Council of Jewish Federations and the Southeast Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for his efforts on behalf of the Jewish community.

Rabbi Weiner is also a former Chaplain in the United States Naval Reserve.

In addition to his many synagogue responsibilities, Rabbi Weiner is a past officer of the New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly, the North Jersey Board of Rabbis, and is currently a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. He is also the former Chairman of the Bergen County Jewish Learning Project. Rabbi Weiner is a certified Mesader Gittin, (certified Jewish divorce specialist), one of only 36 Rabbis throughout the Conservative movement authorized to facilitate Jewish divorce by the Joint Bet Din of the Rabbinical Assembly.

Rabbi Weiner has been honored by our synagogue, the Israel Bonds Development Corporation, the State of Israel, and the Borough of Paramus, NJ for his outstanding work on behalf of the synagogue, and local community.

Rabbi Weiner has taught us, “Do not separate yourself from the community. (Pirkei Avot 2:4) Almost 2000 years ago our sages taught this important lesson to our ancestors. Participation in the life of the Synagogue and involvement in the Jewish community is essential because no one can be Jewish all alone. Ours is a tradition that has always taught that we find G-d in the context of a strong supportive community. We offer a tremendous array of opportunities precisely because we want to encourage participation in the life of our community. We know that one approach does not suit everyone. We believe strongly in our philosophy of welcoming Jews of all backgrounds to our congregation, while remaining devoted to the principles of authentic Conservative Judaism.

Rabbi Weiner is married to Dr. Shira Weiner, a professor of Biomechanics and Ergonomics at New York University, and a professor of Physical Therapy at Touro College in NYC. They are the proud parents of Sam, Danit and Aviva, and daughter-in-law Marianna.

Rabbi Aryeh L. Gotlieb, Rabbi Emeritus

A congregation defines itself by what it does, by its aims and by its accomplishments. We care about Judaism, strive to expand the interests of our congregants who wish to meet and socialize with fellow Jews, and desire to strengthen our bonds with our heritage, faith and rich culture.

We welcome Jewish families and individuals who want to be a part of the Jewish community in our own area and in the broader and wider expanse of the global Jewish community and especially in the state of Israel.

Come join us with your own expectations. It is our cherished goal to fulfill your highest hopes. May the Good Lord bless us all in all our lofty endeavors.

Cantor Sam Weiss

Our Jewish Community Center of Paramus / Congregation Beth Tikvah calendar is always brimming with social, recreational, educational and communal activity. But of course, we are first and foremost a synagogue—a place of prayer and inspiration. My mission is to help young and old to pray and be inspired. I am proud to continue serving a congregation that values the traditional liturgy and Torah Reading, from the daily Minyan to the High Holidays.

Sitting in silent reverence can be a moving experience; getting absorbed in the meaning of a prayer can be enlightening; and we can be stirred by listening to beautiful music; but singing the traditional prayers with our fellow congregants combines and strengthens all of these feelings. As the old adage says, “Those who sing pray twice.”

Some of us enjoy taking prayer and inspiration to an even higher level by leading the congregation in services. It is my pleasure to encourage and facilitate this as well, just as it is to help anyone with a particular prayer, line, word, or melody. Don’t be shy… Just ask!

The singing of our Hebrew School students enriches our Shabbat and Holiday celebrations. With the benefit of a curriculum that emphasizes Hebrew reading competence as well as familiarity with the prayers, the boys and girls eagerly look forward to becoming B’nai Mitzvah students to participate in the Services as much as they can. It is a special joy for me to improve their skills and watch their self-confidence grow as they prepare for their special day.

If you particularly like to sing, you will love getting together occasionally with our Paramus- Tikvah Singers to learn, sing, and share our musical heritage with our congregation and our community throughout the year. This is just one of the many opportunities for education, camaraderie and spiritual fellowship that the JCCP/CBT provides.

I invite you to join in the sounds of the Jewish experience, from the joyous tunes of our Friday Night services to the strains of Lamentations on Tishah B’av, and everything in between.